Lead found in products used by Filipino families

School bags, faucets, lipstick and paint among items flagged by toxics watchdog.

Lead poisoning risks may be closer to home than many Filipinos realize, with tests finding potentially dangerous levels of the toxic metal in everyday products, including children’s school bags, water faucets, lipstick, and paint.

Lead exposure is particularly dangerous for children because it can harm their developing brains and bodies, with damage that may be irreversible. The presence of lead in products used at home or by children is especially concerning because consumers may have little reason to suspect that ordinary purchases could expose them to the toxic metal.

This is why watchdog EcoWaste Coalition is urging government regulators to act on proposed measures to prevent lead exposure, warning that existing rules have yet to cover all potential sources of contamination.

A new study by the group found that 17 of 46 backpacks tested had lead-containing metal zippers, while six of 11 lunch bags had contaminated zippers. Tests on 27 water faucets also detected lead in 17 samples, with laboratory analysis confirming high concentrations in five selected faucets.

The findings extend to products used to decorate homes and faces. Of 30 locally made paints tested in 2025-2026, 13 exceeded the national limit of 90 parts per million (ppm) for lead. The group also found lead in 17 of 133 lipstick samples, with concentrations reaching 40,230 ppm.

While the Philippines has rules restricting lead in paint and certain other products, the findings point to the need for stronger enforcement and clearer standards covering items such as children’s accessories and water faucets.

These findings come despite existing restrictions on lead in paint and other products, highlighting the need for stronger enforcement and clearer safety standards.

The EcoWaste Coalition wants regulators to tighten controls on imported paints, establish limits for lead in accessible parts of children’s products, set standards for faucets, and adopt stricter limits for lead contamination in cosmetics.

The group is also pushing for a national strategy covering other sources of exposure, including lead-acid battery recycling and informal electronic waste processing, to help achieve the global goal of ending childhood lead poisoning by 2040.

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